Chapter 48: Destructive Retribution[1]
A group of about a hundred men began to advance. Heavy infantry carrying large shields and five knights on horseback put some distance between themselves and the main force.
If we continued like that, they would break through the flank and disrupt our formation.
'Typical hammer and anvil tactics. Well-trained guys.'
Sometimes, the thieves also had a considerable number of members, including knights or mercenaries who had committed crimes and run away, becoming leaders.
However, even so, it was impossible to display such a perfect military organization. Where on earth would you find a thief equipped with a lance, a flail, and plate armor?
I nodded lightly at Cordell.
"Go and find out why they are doing that."
"Me?"
"If someone as skilled as a peacock were to do it himself, it would be embarrassing. Didn't you clearly say earlier that you would listen me well?"
Cordell McNeil stepped forward, unable to hide his trembling expression.
Anyone could see that it was a hostile atmosphere. In this situation, it must be burdensome to come forward alone.
Of course, I had no intention of just standing by and letting Cordell be put in danger.
'I have to intervene at the right time. The main character usually appears at crucial times.'
Even if he is Black agent, having over a hundred elite soldiers was burdensome. Of course, the knights who awakened Aura were all warriors worth a hundred men.
But is that power only Cordell able to use?
The other side will also have accumulated sufficient knowledge. So he must have come on horseback armed. A guy who can't even write won't be considered a knight.
"Oh! But aren't you scared?"
To everyone's surprise, Cordell walked forward with a confident stride.
As the distance from the leader narrowed, he lightly raised his right hand. The enemy soldiers eventually stopped walking. It was quite an impressive scene.
'They stopped because I gave them a signal? That means they're willing to talk.'
As expected, someone broke out from among the soldiers and shouted loudly. He was a middle-aged man with an impressive mustache that curved inward at the tip.
"Do you have a guy named Arzahil with you?"
"Yes, but who are you and where are you from?"
"we are from the Duke of Sierre. If you understand what that means, hand over his soldiers."
It was truly a response befitting a family of such high status to start shouting without even knowing who the other person was.
But Cordell didn't back down an inch.
Actually, if I look at the value of the name, he's one is no slouch either.
"I am a knight of the Imperial Guard, assisting His Highness the Duke of Carriers in his undertakings."
"So?"
"There is no reason to hand over a captured bandit unless there is clear evidence."
"… Is that what Duke Carriers meant?"
Cordell neither confirmed nor denied. The middle-aged man with the black mustache frowned. He looked very uncomfortable.
Well, I guess that can't be helped.
Because it would be burdensome to just press it down with force.
'I wonder what he's going to say?' .
Lately, my reputation has been tilted toward that of a saint or a great monarch.
But his original nickname was the Berserker of the North. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he reached the pinnacle in terms of military achievements.
Because it was enough to silence most of the noisy northern peoples.
Even if they are are a slave of a great lord, they must bow their head towards me at least once….
"All forces. Charge."
Thud thud thud!
At the softly spoken words, over a hundred elite soldiers took up their weapons. The mustachioed bastard seemed determined to ignore everything and just push through.
'But for what?'
I just couldn't understand it.
Why don't they just give me a proper reason, pay them compensation, and then take him away
Why on earth do they are doing this?
My doubts kept coming, but I couldn't even guess. Because it made no sense to me. So, there is only one conclusion.
"I guess there's something they want to hide."
Doo doo doo doo doo!
The five cavalrymen began to accelerate. Judging from the way they split right away, it seemed like they were trying to target Cordell and the rear at the same time.
It felt like asking a question.
Which one would I rather protect, one escort knight or dozens of porters? When forced to make choices in a tight time frame, anyone would feel overwhelmed.
But that story didn't apply to me.
'I just have to get them all.'
What's the need to think deeply about it?
Anyway, this is dark medieval, dark fantasy. I shouldn't try to understand it rationally. If i just wipe out whatever the opponent does, that's the end of it.
"im finally testing out this skill."
It was a situation that fit the name perfectly.
Aren't they the ones who challenged my authority and created an absurd situation?
Then what should I do?
I have to put a hammer in the big barrel and throw it away.
『The Beast's Heart Activates』
Tsk tsk tsk tsk!
A red aura enveloped my entire body and burned me. It felt like the skill's power was squeezed to its limit. I cast one more skill in that state.
『Activation of Destructive Retribution』
Immediately afterwards, a tingling sensation ran down my right arm.
Wiggle!
An unknown impulse welled up in my chest. The desire to burst out the power concentrated in the palm of one's hand through the arm.
'No, this is a warning.'
I felt like if I didn't release the condensed energy quickly, I would be in danger.
The method was as simple as the skill's name. If i just hit them, that'll be the end of it. I picked up the gavel without hesitation.
"Tsaaaah!"
Swoosh!
As I raised my arms high with a shout, a truly transcendental burst of energy occurred. It felt like pulling out a maple tree and swinging it around. But, isn't it true that similar results actually come out?
"Huh?"
Before I knew it, the gavel had grown to the size of a building. Of course, the objects did not actually multiply.
The blue energy that shot out from my hand simply transformed into a giant hammerhead.
Blue energy mixed with red light bursting from the beast's heart.
Suddenly, a lump of energy the size of a house came crashing down at incredible speed.
Kwaaang!
Kukugugugugugu―!
The blow that struck the ground caused a tremendous aftershock. It wasn't originally cast with the intention of crushing the opponent.
It was just meant to scare them. However, the skill's power was much stronger than expected.